Transport over Brahmaputra suspended due to rising waters

Guwahati, June 25 (IANS) Assam's Inland Water Transport department Wednesday temporarily suspended plying of any boats - both mechanized or manual - on the Brahmaputra starting Thursday due to the rising water level in the river.

The restriction will be applicable in the stretch of the river in and around Guwahati city, said a statement issued by the department.

The government has arranged bus service between Guwahati and north Guwahati run by the state-owned Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC).

The statement said the restriction on river transport will continue unless water levels in the river comes down to its normal levels.

Over 20,000 people remained affected due to floods in five districts of the state.

The district administrations have opened up five relief camps, four in Darrang and one in Udalguri district to house a total of 8,921 flood-hit people, SDMA officials said.

The Central Water Commission Wednesday said the Brahmaputra, the Jia Bharali and the Beki have been flowing over danger levels at many places across the state.

While the Brahmaputra was flowing above the danger level at Nematighat, Jia Bharali was flowing above the danger mark in Sonitpur district, and the Beki in Barpeta district.